Monday, September 10th, 2007 PANTHERS RETURN FROM NCAA SHOWCASE 4-Games in 3-Days at Mercyhurst... ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA: The Pickering Panthers returned late Sunday night from a 3-day, 4-game showcase at Mercyhurst College (NCAA Division-I program). The highlight for Pickering was a matchup against the Philadelphia Little Flyers Jr.A team. The Panthers won the competitive and physical contest 2-0, receiving top performances from two of their returning vets. Jamie MacQueen would score both goals for Pickering. In the opening frame MacQueen fired a quick one-timer from the side of the net off a perfect cross-crease pass. In the final frame (two 25-minute periods games in the showcase event) MacQueen scored a carbon-copy goal – this time from mid slot, on a rocket one-time that went post-and-in. On the other end Connor Sampson played his best game of the tournament, shutting out the flyers (official shot totals were not released). Sampson was tested and pressed through the entire contest, but was simply peppered in the final frame when Philly had two 5-on-3 PP advantages (one lasting an entire two minutes). Sampson was solid and made several difficult saves to hold off the flyers, preserve the win, and the shutout. MacQueen not only lit the lamp twice against the Flyers, he did the same in Pickering’s matchup against the New England Huskies. The veteran forward scored another PP one-timer, and followed that up minutes later with a lightning quick snap shot from in tight. Late in the opening frame, with the score 2-1 Pickering, Ben Calma stood tall, making an excellent blocker save on a penalty shot to keep Pickering in the lead. In the final frame, with the score deadlocked at 2-2, Scott Brown scored one of his best Jr.A goals ever. Picking up the puck in the neutral zone Brown paused for just a second to let his off-side teammates clear the zone, then stepped over and unloaded a rocket that went crossbar and in – shocking the Huskies goaltender. The Huskies would add two quick goals off Panther giveaways to take a 5-3 lead. With time winding down, the Panthers pressed and Brendan Hann scored with 36-seconds left to give Pickering a shot at evening the score. Despite some last second pressure, the Huskies were able to hold on and win it 5-4. In Pickering’s matchup against the New York Bobcats, a lackluster 1st period cost them dearly. Falling behind 3-0 Hann would again score late, but it was in fact too little too late, as NY won it 3-1. A positive in the contest was a final frame shutout from Connor Sampson. Add that to his complete game shutout of Philadelphia, and Sampson finished the tournament with three straight shutout periods, and a GAA of 1.50. Pickering other matchup was against New York Applecore, at 8am Saturday morning. Proving not to be a morning squad, the Panthers fell to NY 4-0. The showcase event more than just the four games. The Panthers were taken on a full tour of the Mercyhurst campus, student areas, residents, and athletic facilities. The tour ended with a meeting in the Mercyhurst Men’s Hockey Dressing Room, where the players had a Q & A with the Mercyhurst coaching staff about playing in the NCAA, and life at school. The Panthers have history at Mercyhurst. Alumni TJ Kemp played fours years at Mercyhurst, being named alternate captain in his senior year. This summer Kemp signed a contract with the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers. Also this summer, Zack Fenwick accepted a scholarship and will play with the Mercyhurst Lakers this coming season. The current Panthers met with Fenwick on Friday before their opening game. Pickering will kickoff their 2007-2008 season Wednesday night in North York at 7:30pm. Our home opener is Sunday at 6:30pm, the second half of a home-and-home against the Markham Waxers. COPYWRIGHT PICKERING PANTHERS JR.A HOCKEY CLUB HOME OPENER MARKHAM WAXERS @ PICKERING PANTHERS SEPT.16TH - 6:30PM 2007 NCAA COMMITMENTS NCAA DIV.I MICHAEL BANWELL MAINE NCAA DIV.I RICHARD SCHOFIELD LAKE SUPERIOR NCAA DIV.I ZACK FENWICK MERCYHURST NCAA DIV.III BRAD FOGAL ADRIAN COLLEGE NCAA DIV.III KEVIN HUININK SALEM STATE 2007 OHL SIGNINGS JESSES HEBSCHER SUDBURY